Florida Rock Shrimp

Sicyonia Brevirostris

Florida Rock Shrimp get their name from the rock-like shell that protects them. They are a tropical species of Shrimp that are native to both coasts of Florida, Mexico’s Campeche Banks and a few isolated patches in the western Gulf of Mexico.

 

All Rock Shrimp begin their lives on the Oculina Reef, which is located off of Brevard County, Florida. The warm Gulf Stream water allows fish that enjoy warm water to live a bit farther north. Juvenile shrimp hatch on the reef, and are carried at the mercy of the ocean currents. After several weeks, they settle in estuaries, safe from predators. As they grow older and larger, they venture back out into the sea.

 

The Florida Rock Shrimp industry began in 1969, when a boat builder named Rodney Thompson invented a machine that would crack the shrimp’s shell, and make it easy to remove the vein. He opened a business, and was, for many years, the only Rock Shrimp Fisherman. He opened a successful restaurant, and enjoyed a monopoly for many years.

 

After years of research and development, the Pascagoula Ice Company successfully modified the Lathran Machine (which is used to peel soft shelled shrimp), in the mid 1980’s. Not only did the machine crack the shell, but it removed it and the vein completely. Soon, Gulf Shrimp boats were fishing the Rock Shrimp Beds, as there was a lot of money to be made.

 

At one time, Rock Shrimp could be found as far north as Virginia, however over fishing has diminished the range to about as far north as Cape Canaveral. As the shrimp became harder to find, the fishermen began fishing closer and closer to the reefs. Finally, they were damaging the reefs with their nets. In 1991, at the height of the Rock Shrimp industry, 40 million pounds of shrimp were harvested in the waters of Florida. In 2000, less than 3 million pounds were harvested.

 

Rodney Thompson had tried for years to work with the state government to protect the breeding grounds of the rock shrimp, but met a lot of resistance with Florida’s fishermen, and got little support from the government. Finally in 2001, legislation was passed which is now working to bring back the Florida Rock Shrimp. It is still too early to tell if the damage that was done is irreparable.

 

Rock shrimp have the flavor of Lobster, and are truly one of the delicacies of Florida.

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